Hitler Likely Had Jewish and African Roots
Adolf Hitler may have had both Jewish and African roots, DNA testing shows.
Samples taken from some of the German Fuhrer’s relatives show that he was likely descended from some of the ‘sub-human’ races that he tried to destroy, according to research by Belgian journalist Jean-Paul Mulders and historian Marc Vermeeren, cited in the Flemish-language magazine Knack.
Saliva samples taken from 39 Hitler relatives have genetic fingerprints pointing to his possible African and Jewish ancestry.
“This is a surprising result,” said Ronny Decorte, a genetic specialist at the Catholic University of Leuven, interviewed by Knack. “Hitler would not have been happy.”
Hitler’s father, Alois, is believed to be the illegitimate child of a maid and a 19-year-old Jewish man.
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
![](https://forward.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jodi-Headshot.jpg)
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief